Sophia Michaels
David Letterman, the iconic late-night host, signaled the end of an era in 2015, concluding his show, “The Late Show with David Letterman,” after 30 remarkable years. His farewell was marked by an unexpected tribute from former U.S. presidents, beginning with a 1974 clip of Gerald Ford stating, “My Fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.” This was humorously echoed by George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, who added, “Letterman is retiring.” When Letterman appeared, he humorously asked, “You’re just kidding, right?” However, he was indeed serious about retiring.
In 2016, Letterman reminisced about his time after retirement during an interview with Tom Brokaw, expressing no regrets about stepping down from his long-held position despite his wealth. “It’s interesting, I thought for sure I would,” he noted, referring to the comfort he felt when Stephen Colbert took over. “I couldn’t care less about late night television; I’m happy,” he revealed. Letterman also shared a personal transformation, explaining his new beard style, which he had vowed to grow once his show ended, signaling his desire to move away from the expectations tied to his former role.
David Letterman hasn’t fully retired
While David Letterman has officially retired from his late-night hosting responsibilities, he hasn’t distanced himself completely from the entertainment industry. He remarked in a December 2024 interview with GQ, “Retirement is a myth… The human mechanism will not allow you to retire.” Although he treasures the time he gets to spend in his Indiana hometown, he remains active in his career. Since 2018, he’s been the host of Netflix’s “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” where he engages with notable figures like Barack Obama, Kim Kardashian, and Tiffany Haddish.
In 2023, Letterman made headlines by returning to “The Late Show” hosted by Stephen Colbert. After nearly ten years since his departure, he humorously told Colbert, “Stephen, control your people!” acknowledging the audience’s enthusiastic response. Reflecting on his prior dismissal of late-night hosting, he shared a newfound appreciation for it, stating that the thrill of hosting and the chance to try again makes it rewarding. “That was great. That made it more and more fun,” Letterman expressed, reminiscing about his cherished moments in late-night television.
